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Dementia is a broad term used to describe a range of progressive and degenerative neurological disorders that affect cognitive functioning such as memory thinking behaviour and ability to perform everyday activities. It is not a specific disease but a term used to describe a group of symptoms associated with a decline in brain function.
There are many types of dementia, but Alzheimer’s disease is the most common accounting for 60 to 80% of all cases. Other types of dementia include Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia Frontotemporal Dementia and Mixed Dementia. Dementia can be caused by a variety of factors including genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. Age is also a significant risk factor with the risk of developing dementia increasing significantly after the age of 65. This doesn’t mean dementia can not occur below the age of 65, the term younger onset dementia is used to describe any form of dementia that develops in people under the age of 65. Dementia has been diagnoses in people in their 50s, 40s and even their 30s. it is sometimes called early onset dementia.
The symptoms of dementia can vary on the type and stage of the disease but common in symptoms include:
There is no cure for dementia but there are treatments and interventions that can help manage symptoms and to assist with improving quality of life. Theses include medication, lifestyle modifications and occupational therapy, Early diagnosis and intervention are important for maximising the benefits of treatment improving outcomes for individuals living with dementia.
Occupational therapist can play a crucial role in the care and management of individuals with dementia. The gold of occupational therapy and dementia care is just supporting the individual’s ability to engage in meaningful activities and routines maintain independence and function enhance their quality of life. Dementia care is focused on meeting the unique needs of individuals with dementia and helping them maintain their independence and dignity as much as possible.
1. Assessments:
OTs can conduct assessments to evaluate the individual’s cognitive physical and emotional function as well as their environment and social supports this assessment can help identify areas of strength and areas for intervention and support.
2. Goal setting:
Based on the assessment OT’s can work with the individual family and caregivers to set goals related to maintaining function promoting independence and enhancing quality of life.
3. Intervention:
OTS can develop and implement interventions tailored to into the individuals needs and goals this may include cognitive stimulation activity modifications to the environment to support function and safety and education and training for caregivers and strategies to support the individual.
4. Caregiver support:
OTs can provide education and support to caregivers to help them better understand the individuals needs and to manage behavioural symptoms and support engagement in meaningful activities.
5. Communication support:
as communication difficulties can be common in people living with dementia, OTS can provide support to the individuals and their caregivers to enhance their communication skills and implement strategies such as the use of visual aids or technology.
Overall, The role of occupational therapists in dementia care is to support the individual’s ability to engage in meaningful activities and routines maintain independence and function enhance their quality of life while also providing education and support to caregivers to better understand the support the individual needs.